003 and a 1/2 (Licenced to Poop)

As of this morning, Lauren has been with us for 3 1/2 days. We arrived home from the hospital on Tue afternoon and it's been one adventure after another. Since we left the secure confines of the hospital, we've wandered through the past 2 days and nights trying to get our bearings and figure out how and when to use everything that we bought or was given to us. I mean I feel like I'm James Bond in those scenes where he walks through the "research" area with Q, the head inventor/scientist. "Now James, here's what looks like an ordinary fountain pen but when you push this button, it shoots out poisonous darts." "And over here we have what seems like an everyday 'learning gym' for new babies with innocuous rattling things hanging from its rafters - but if you assemble it using these 59 additional steps, it has IQ boosting powers to create intellectually gifted infant leaders to help spread democracy and take over the world." "And James, do behave and not touch these other gadgets for you will only misuse them I'm sure"... OK, you get the picture. So far, I've set up and activated a "spy cam" (baby video monitor), an ejection seat (baby rocker), an escape pod (car seat), among other neat contraptions.

The new Lee Family Three left the house for the first time today as a unit. Lauren was strapped into her rocket pack (actually, it's the car seat, which took a frustratingly unnecessary amount of time figuring out how to get it in and out of the base - actually, I really don't want to talk more about it), Lorraine made sure we brought all of our secret information (baby file), and I had brought my multiple-use utility pack (the Diaper Dude diaper bag). Our mission: to successfully meet and exchange valuable information with our official contact, codename The Baby Doctor, without any altercations (safely navigate the labyrinth of roads while avoiding crazy Californian drivers), avoid any enemy contact (the Evil Poops), and with strict noise discipline (no wailing to give away our staged casualness). Well, one out of three wasn't bad - we drove to our location safely. Lauren, however, showed off her lung capacity by wailing up the place at the pediatrician's office (I heard that a few 3-5 year olds ran out of the building covering their ears) and had two encounters with the Poops (one on the examining table and one in the car after our appointment). Thank goodness for the utility pack that had everything to address the situation then and there in the parking lot. Batman and GI Joe would be proud. Seriously, this has been one great adventure so far - the most wonderful experience I've ever had (well, we would like a few more winks of sleep and better waste management skills). Otherwise, it's all good.

I've heard you all loud and clear - here are some more pictures:

PROUD GRANDPARENTS AND AUNT (Watch this space for Uncles and Cousins soon)








LAUREN WORKING OUT AT THE GYM





MOMMY AND BABY ON DAY 3